The Silk Road Journal by Mahika Ming

Invasions and energy issues are heard more in the news these days while some are trying to imagine a world without superpowers Russia and China. The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) was established in 1949. Great China is one of the oldest human civilizations and was invaded and large areas of it were occupied by many colonial powers prior to 1949. According to Chinese historic records; Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Japan and Russia were occupying areas larger than Sri Lanka in China. Although some try to portray Taiwan as a spate state, even as late as 1910AD Taiwan was still part of Great China and was ruled by Chinese main land. The Chinese marched a long distance fighting to free their country from invaders who robbed their country and established the PRC. When that was done, those who made a fortune by addicting Chinese to Opium and selling the wealth they stole from China did not recognize the new rule. However, PRC worked hard to become a magnet to western investors by 1979 with the opening of their economy. They extended their friendly hands to everyone including those who stole their wealth and violated their rights based on the below five principles they developed;

1. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
2. Mutual non-aggression.
3. Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
4. Equality and co-operation for mutual benefit.
5. Peaceful co-existence

The PRC is celebrating 50^th anniversary of PRC-USA relations among many other anniversaries including the 65^th anniversary of PRC-SL relations which actually is a small fraction of the 2500 year bond. Since its inception the PRC has never invaded any territory ruled by another sovereign state. PRC can easily invade Taiwan but has displayed its decency all these decades. At this very moment with the developments in Ukraine it’s more visible. The BBC few weeks ago said that it had a leaked report on PRC encroaching at the border near Nepal but Nepal being a strong partner of the Belt and Road (BRI) dismissed the News. India after independence invaded Goa which was ruled by the Portuguese and Pondicherry ruled by France. Western powers didn’t display any resistance then even at a time when India was considered a close friend of the socialist USSR. Decades later India entered Sri Lankan territory to provide dry rations to those suffering in the north without informing Sri Lanka in advance. However, India remains a good friend to this date and the most recent gesture is the support given during the present energy crisis. The PRC supported Sri Lanka to build the Norochcholai power plant (which was declared open by President Xi Jinping during his visit) and the Moragahakanda project which can also be used for hydro power production. Still with all such sources Sri Lankan population is forced to stay in the dark or without electricity during day time due to energy production shortages.

USSR – China – USA – Russia?

The world power and energy equilibrium is seeing some shaking at present with alpha male Vladimir Putin and his strong army. Five decades ago US President Richard Nixon extended his hand across the vast Pacific Ocean to the PRC using the opportunity when PRC was having deteriorating relations with the Soviet Union (USSR). According to analysts there were big differences between USSR and PRC in governance and the goal of communism. History has now proven that PRC approach was most practical as USSR is not to be seen. PRC also used this opportunity wisely to get rid of the western imposed trade embargos. USA may have expected to create a wave against the USSR by shaking hands with China in 1972. However, Nixon’s visit paved way to establish diplomatic ties between USA and PRC in 1979. USA may have never imagined that PRC would follow them to the Moon and even to Mars fifty years later. What started as "Ping-Pong diplomacy" had seen many ups and downs since then but maintained world power balance. Trump administration is seen by many as the most unpleasant times. However, by 2020 PRC – USA combination accounted for over 33% of the world economic output and weighed as half of global growth as per Chinese statistics. Sri Lanka is coming out of a socio economic crisis. Although Sri Lanka has been at the receiving end of being occupied and harassed by many in the world power balance for centuries, it has never had any such unpleasant experiences with China. Sri Lankans who analyze world situation by putting Russia and China to one side should therefore reanalyze their views to get a better picture of why Chinese approach has always been different and peaceful.

The writer is an analyst with interests in the financial and sustainable development sectors with postgraduate exposure in the Far East (mahika.ming@gmail.com).